The South western news., 1887-11-16

trap that is sprung ready to receive him -
Nances evil face glowed with all the
craft and malice of his revengeful nature as
he arose to his feet and paced the door OF
the room rest,essly.
His foresworn scheme to crush and
/ disgrace his hated rival, Giulio, before Mr..
ElIiotfs return. had been delayed by va
rlety of circumstances adverse TO the
/ speedy consummation of his plans, bat
\ by no means abandoned
There was not movement on the part OF
( Giulio for the past few days that had not
| been noted by himself or his hired ennis
/ saries.
/ With the secret cunning of master hand
/ at plotting, Vance had surrounded his rival
with network of plots, the real motive OF
/ which even deceived those who were WORK
/ ing in his behalf.
/ GIulios visits to Beatrice, and hi, Quest
/ in noted gambling Place for Marcy one
/ evening, had been noted and utilized as
/ points of importance in the great scheme
| of fraud and deceit the willy plotter Vance
was weaving fer his ultimate aad utter
/ ruin.
Only one thing worried the villain. and
this WAS The fear that ere his plans were
consumnated Giulio might communicate
with the banker his scoyeries regarding
! the woman Beatrice
! 81 will delay no longer" muttered Vance
| finally pausng 10 his restless promenade of
/ the apartment. by tbs tine Marcy has
! certainly had time to carry out tie forgery
and deception necessary to get Beatrice out
of the way. and the story of the detective
will have found sufficient basis to convince
Elliott of the dishonesty of his prot ge. If
Allison does not disappont me | Will move
at once He should be on the watch. Oh.
there he isl
If his intended victims had realized the
| depths of his schening they would have
been alarmed.
One h7Gr previous he had held a long
interview in a noted city retreat with his
new accomplice, Allison.
Seated, smoking and drinking. the two
schemers discussed plot of terrib wrong
against G;ulio Elliott
Vance had gone to the side window of
the room of the saloon and looked out upon
the street.
His eyes gittered with satisfac ion as lie
saw lounging in doorway opposite the
form of a man he evidently recognized.
He made movement as if to lower the
sash, his hand describing careless, pecul-
lar movement that was we'll conceived
signal.
Instantly the man left the place where be
was and moved further down the street to
position where he could command bet
ter view of the front of the blnl
He understands and Will act. " nur-
INJURED Vance with evident satisfaction. II
will send Giulio Z Lott with the money
package at once. The detective will be
here at eleven, and l cln detain him until
Elliott comes-ha, Elliott himselfl'
slight, anxious palor overspread the
schemer's face as he glanced past the half
open door communicating with the CONT
ing-room
Beyond that he could see, just driven up
to the curb of the bank, carrilge he rec
ognized as the Elliott equipage.
Mr.. Elliott himself, his face ngl1w With
the happy cOntentment ne ever experienced
in the company of his daughter had alight-
ed from the vehicle, and a moment later
handed Mabel to the pavement, and her
thence up the steps leading to the bank.
Every movement on their part and every
movement in the busy counting-room was
noticed by the eager, watchful Vance
He saw the clerks, as was their wont, ON
visit from the banker, momentaily aban-
don their work to greet respectful " their
old employer.
He noted from the bankers manner that
evidently Mabel had I ot impaired the story
of his menacing visit when he confessed
his love, and that apparently Mr.. Elliotts
composure had n yet beea disturbed by
Giulios recital of the wrongs of Beatrice
a revelation Ya9ce too well knew would
ruin him in the bankers estimation, a rev.
elation he also felt assured Giuljo would
make patent to the banker at the first op-
! portunity.
A wild flush Of jealous rage and hatred
sprang to the watchers face as he noted
one swift, thrilling glance pass between
S,,1i 4 l. or1- ~. I l..
| the banker as she was led past the counting
room to the apartment where Vance WIS
| Ineffable love, mu u1l understanding
| encouragement spoke in that look.
| 1t maddened Vance to the verge
frenzy
"They love one another. A single hour
will insure Giuio Elliott's success and my
ruin. will act! Consimnate actor thit
| l am, | will time every movement of the
next hour to the accuracy of n coud.
He glided from the door, bis point of
espionage, as he spoke. He seated him
self at desk, and bent over the p,l ers
upon it as if enrapt in their contents.
When n minute later the banker entered
| the room, Nances face bore look of in
tense care and axiety, as though h. WIS
weighed down with business respons bi-
tiles, and no one would we suspec
that but moment previous he had bea,
acting the spy at the door f:om tn
threshold of which a rare vision of Lowell
ness now banished, temporarily, the gloom
of the apartment.
The CHEEKY, happy voice of Mr.. Elliott
spoke the word as he extended his hand to
his business associate.
He started rs he noted how limp and
lifeless was the return clasp of Vance.
why, man, you're looking i'll. There is
no trouble at the bank here?" asked Mr.
Elliott.
Vance directed quick look at Mabel,
but she bowed colby, aud did not even ad-
vance to meet him.
He muttered a negative to Mr.. Elliott,
and something about oyerwork and rush
of busine s.
Then. as if to intimate that no visit must
interfere with its routine, he strucl; the bell
on his desk and resumed his writing
There are few important miss ons to
execute, he said to his associtte in an apol-
ogetic tone, and then l will he entirely at
yoUr orders.
All right, Vance, doa't hurry yourself,
nor let us disturb you. ] came to report a
successful rcgOtiadon with the Ea t IN
branch of the business. l Ii look over the
morning papers, and you, Mabel believe
you expressed a wish to write a letter?
Yes, papa"
Vance arose and opened a desk at the
other silo OF the room with perfect cour-
tesy hc,ng it at har disposal
Mr.. Elliott disposed himself comfort
ably in an easy chair, ami Vance resumed